Turkish doctors: their inventions & success stories

The rate of medical specialisation is high in Türkiye both in main branches and sub-branches. Excellently trained physicians and health professionals of Türkiye are proud to share their expertise with their colleagues in the developing countries and thus participate their healthcare system improvement programmes. It's among our major priorities to contribute to the global health.

Medical training is offered in English by most of the medical higher education facilities. English is widely applied across the health service provision. In addition, health facilities or intermediary organizations may arrange interpretation services for the patients in desire to communicate in their native language.

Historical Contributions of Turkish Doctors to Health History

World’s First Medical Complex – Gevher Nesibe (1206)

Gevher Nesibe Şifahanesi is recognised as the world’s first integrated medical school and hospital, combining clinical practice with formal education. It pioneered teaching in internal medicine, anatomy, pharmacology and surgical training. Located in Kayseri, within the Seljuk Empire (present-day Türkiye).

Ottoman Surgical Innovation – Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin (1385–1470)

Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin was the first physician in the Islamic world to depict human figures in medical illustrations, breaking the artistic taboos of his time. His surgical practice incorporated the use of anaesthesia through herbal sedatives, cauterisation techniques, and specialised instruments remarkably similar to those used in modern surgery. His most significant work, Cerrahiyyetü’l-Haniyye, is regarded as one of the earliest illustrated surgical textbooks in Islamic and Turkish medical history.

Mental Health & Music Therapy in Darüşşifas

Darüşşifas offered psychiatric care through music, sound, flowing water, therapeutic scents and a deeply compassionate approach, centuries before humane treatment became an accepted practice in the West. This holistic understanding of healing stands as one of the most remarkable achievements in medical history. In recognition of its pioneering role, UNESCO has inscribed the Sultan Bayezid II Hospital in Edirne as a World Heritage Site. Examples of these healing complexes are found in Edirne, Manisa, Amasya and Bursa.

Modern Contributions by Turkish Doctors

Aziz Sancar – Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2015)

Aziz Sancar was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015 for his groundbreaking discovery of DNA repair mechanisms, particularly the way cells repair damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. His work has made a profound contribution to the understanding of cancer biology and has helped guide the development of targeted therapies and improved diagnostic tools. Born in Mardin, Türkiye, he is currently based in the United States and proudly identifies as Turkish.

Neuroscience – Gazi Yaşargil

Gazi Yaşargil is widely regarded as a pioneer of microneurosurgery. He revolutionised modern brain surgery by developing the operating microscope technique and introducing microsurgical instruments that are now standard in neurosurgical practice. In recognition of his extraordinary impact on the field, he was named the “Neurosurgeon of the Century” by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Cardiology & Organ Transplant Leadership

Türkiye made a major contribution to modern cardiology with the country’s first heart transplant, performed in 1968 by Dr Kemal Bayazıt. It has also played a pioneering role in live-donor liver and kidney transplantation through the work of Akdeniz and Başkent Universities. Today, Türkiye ranks among the world’s top five countries for international organ transplants, offering accessible, ethical and high-quality treatment options.

Dermatology – Hulusi Behçet

Hulusi Behçet identified and described Behçet’s Disease in 1937, a condition characterised by recurrent oral ulcers, genital lesions and eye inflammation. His discovery established a new clinical syndrome in medical literature, now recognised worldwide as Behçet’s Disease. He is remembered as a pioneering Turkish physician whose name continues to live on in global medical terminology.

Global Health and Humanitarian Missions

Turkish doctors contribute to international medical missions, particularly in war zones, natural disaster areas, and underserved communities under the umbrella of:

TİKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency)

Doctors Worldwide – Türkiye

Turkish Red Crescent

Ministry of Health’s overseas services, e.g. mobile hospitals in Africa and Asia

Participate in EU research programmes, WHO working groups, and clinical trials for global pandemics and therapies

Contemporary Medical Influence

Türkiye hosts over 1 million health tourists annually, with its blend of historic healing traditions and modern medical innovation.

City hospitals (şehir hastaneleri) combine robotic surgery, AI-supported diagnostics.

Turkish universities and biotech firms increasingly collaborate on clinical research, vaccine development, and digital health AI platforms.

Robotic Surgery and Oncology: Turkish surgeons in major hospitals routinely perform robotic-assisted surgeries and lead advanced oncology trials.